In South Dakota, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Ladders (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by federal OSHA.
29 CFR 1926.1053 · South Dakota
Ladders (Construction) Requirements in South Dakota
Ladders (Construction) in South Dakota: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
South DakotaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 25 times in South Dakota construction (6.7% of its construction citations there, the 3rd most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1053(b)(1) with 18 citations.
25
1926.1053 citations in South Dakota construction, FY2025
(b)(1)
paragraph cited most in South Dakota (18 citations)
32.2
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, South Dakota, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in South Dakota: 29 CFR 1926.1053, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-2625
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1053 in 18 inspections
$45,191
penalties, current amounts ($58,996 as first proposed)
6.7%
of the 373 federal construction citations in South Dakota
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 25 times in inspections of South Dakota construction employers. It ranked third of the 39 standards cited in them. By classification: 17 serious, 8 other-than-serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.1053(b)(1) (18), 1926.1053(b)(22) (2), 1926.1053(b)(16) (2).
Counted by HazComFast from the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforcement data (inspection and violation tables, retrieved September 26, 2026): citations issued October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 on federal OSHA inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) in the state, deleted citations excluded, penalties at current amounts. OSHA's own cited-standards tool does not break federal states out; summed over every state, this count matches it within a few citations (6,778 for 1926.501, against 6,772). data.dol.gov
Falls and work deaths in South Dakota, 2024
South Dakota recorded 29 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 20 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 3 of them (10%). Construction accounted for 9.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, South Dakota, 2024
Ladders (Construction) Cases in South Dakota
Core Framing, LLC
$137,508 final, unreducedSioux Falls, South Dakota - residential framing fatality · 2023
On July 13, 2023, a 25-year-old construction laborer framing a residential property fell from the upper roof area to the concrete floor and died of a head injury. OSHA opened its inspection the same day and cited six items, none reduced: a willful 1926.501(b)(13) residential fall-protection citation at $93,755, a serious 1926.1053(b)(1) ladder citation, a grouped stairway item under 1926.1052(c)(1) and (c)(12), and scaffold, powered-industrial-truck and 1926.20(b)(2) jobsite-inspection items. Initial and final penalty are the same, $137,508.
OSHA inspection 1683142.015 (Fat/Cat), case closed - OSHA Establishment SearchHow South Dakota Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053
South Dakota has no State Plan, so federal OSHA has jurisdiction. 29 CFR 1926.1053 is enforced by U.S. Department of Labor compliance officers using standard federal procedures and the federal penalty maximums.
In South Dakota, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 went most often to Roofing Contractors (14) and Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (3). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1053, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
Help and oversight in South Dakota
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In South Dakota, the program is South Dakota State University (Engineering Extension - OSHA Consultation). OSHA describes it as “Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs.” It is separate from OSHA enforcement; the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
South Dakota consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
Who inspects private employers here
Federal OSHA, from the Sioux Falls Area Office (Sioux Falls).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
South Dakota Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1053 (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $16,550 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Willful | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Repeat | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Failure to abate | $16,550/day | up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6) |
South Dakota applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Federal OSHA reduces the proposed penalty for employer size, good faith and history (FOM CPL 02-00-164 Ch. 6). There was no inflation increase for 2026: the 2025 amounts remain in effect (OMB Memo M-26-11).
Key Ladders (Construction) Requirements 29 CFR 1926.1053
- Extend ladder 3 feet above landing
- Secure at top and bottom
- Maintain 3-point contact
- Use non-slip feet on ladder base
- Inspect before each use
- Do not load beyond rated capacity
- Face ladder while climbing
Who enforces it in South Dakota: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; South Dakota has no State Plan.
The compliance checklist, the paragraphs OSHA cites nationally and what an inspector checks under 29 CFR 1926.1053 are on the 29 CFR 1926.1053 page.
Most-Cited Ladders (Construction) Paragraphs in South Dakota, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 25 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to South Dakota construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.1053(b)(1) 18 citations
“When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing …”
- 2
1926.1053(b)(16) 2 citations
“Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or …”
- 3
1926.1053(b)(22) 2 citations
“An employee shall not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall.”
- 4
1926.1053(b)(13) 1 citation
“The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.”
- 5
1926.1053(b)(4) 1 citation
“Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.”
- 6
1926.1053(b)(6) 1 citation
“Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement.”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
South Dakota Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
373 of them in South Dakota (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in South Dakota, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (44), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (28) and Framing Contractors (26), out of 202 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1053 in South Dakota, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (14), Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (3) and New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (2), of 25 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in South Dakota, 2024: 32.2 per 100,000 full-time workers, 1st highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 5.8).
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) opened from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, federal OSHA and State Plan combined, grouped by the inspected employer's 2022 NAICS industry. HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), grouped by the cited employer's 2022 NAICS industry. Industry names are the Census Bureau's 2022 NAICS titles. data.dol.gov · BLS fatality rates by state, 2024
Free Ladders (Construction) Compliance Tools
Ladders (Construction) FAQ for South Dakota
Which South Dakota construction trades are cited most under Ladders (Construction)?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 25 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to South Dakota construction employers, most often to Roofing Contractors (14), Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (3) and New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (2) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since South Dakota has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 373 citations across 110 inspections of South Dakota construction employers in FY2025 (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1053 on a recurring basis.
How often is Ladders (Construction) cited on South Dakota jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break South Dakota out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 373 citations across 110 inspections of South Dakota construction employers, 25 of them under 29 CFR 1926.1053 (HazComFast count). A Ladders (Construction) citation in South Dakota can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. South Dakota's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces ladder rules on South Dakota construction sites?
Federal OSHA, not a state agency. South Dakota has no state plan, so federal compliance officers from OSHA's Denver region inspect and cite ladder safety under 29 CFR 1926.1053, at federal penalty maximums.
Can I get free OSHA help in South Dakota without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in South Dakota is South Dakota State University (Engineering Extension - OSHA Consultation). OSHA describes it this way: "Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs." Consultations are separate from OSHA enforcement, and the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
How often does federal OSHA cite 29 CFR 1926.1053 in South Dakota construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 25 times in 18 inspections of South Dakota construction employers, with $45,191 in penalties at current amounts ($58,996 as first proposed), 6.7% of the 373 citations those inspections produced. It ranked third of the 39 standards cited. (HazComFast count from U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data, retrieved 2026-09-26.)
Ladders (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
Ladders (Construction) in Other States
9 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1926.1053 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
California8 CCR §1675, which routes portable ladders to §3276 and fixed ladders to §3277-3278own maxHawaii29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-1 and §12-110-3MichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140own maxMinnesotaMinn. R. 5207.0200 and 5207.0210 (ships ladders)NevadaNAC 618.503, adopting ANSI A10.13-1989North Carolina29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201Oregon29 CFR 1926.1053 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0065own maxUtah29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by R614-1-4.A.4, with R614-1-5.C.1own max
Other OSHA Standards in South Dakota
Sources & verification
Penalty amounts and plan-type data were checked on 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register. This page is informational and not legal advice; consult the enforcing agency or counsel for your specific situation.
Get the Binder in Order Before the Inspector Arrives. Are You Ready?
OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
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